By Nic Davies
Ten years after starting as a garden party with a guitar, Dursley Rocks will fill the grounds at Dursley Rugby Club for this year’s music festival.
Held on the weekend of June 9th and 10th, almost 500 revellers will turn up to enjoy the community music festival, run by a team of volunteers.
It all started when Andrew Blackburn from Dursley, picked up his guitar and held his own mini-festival in his back garden with friends. After growing gradually each year with more and more people wanting to get involved, Dursley Rocks will take over the grounds at the local rugby club, with a weekend community music event.
Run by a team of volunteers, it features local bands who give up their time to perform at this community event.
Andrew said: “The first Dursley Rocks was me and a few of my good friends from the Royal Navy. I’m still amazed how much this event has grown thanks to the support of the local community. We’ve had a few different locations and have always wanted to hold this event at our local rugby club. We almost managed it in 2020 but were hit by the pandemic – we’re delighted that we’ve finally made it and can offer camping and music on this brilliant site.”
Dursley Rocks is a not-for-profit community event very much supported by local traders and companies. Bands give up their time to perform and workshops are held to keep families entertained, from the Wotton Brass Academy to Into the Woods Forest School. Volunteers will run the bar and stewards and security will keep the site safe.
Andrew added: “Our ethos is to encourage would-be musicians to take to the stage for the first time in front of a supportive audience, and to inspire anyone, young and old, to have a go in one of the workshops. Tickets have been selling well as more people hear about it, we want to get as many people as we can to be part of it.”
Jake Martin, Fundraising Manager for Dursley Rugby Club said: “We are delighted to be able to host this popular community festival during the club’s 75th anniversary year, making this part of a year of celebration. Our own players and supporters will be volunteering over the weekend and we are looking forward to a successful event.”
Tickets for Dursley Rocks are now on sale email dursleyrocks.tickets@gmail.com
· Camping weekend at £30 per adult, £20 per child;
· One day ticket: £18 per adult and £9 per child.
· Under-fives go free.
